Strengthening Families through Worship

DAVAO CITY — Recognizing the threats that are present in the family right now, a bishop encouraged families to be more participative in the Church and in their Gagmayng Kristuhanon Katilingban (GKKs) and to live a Christ-like life.

The family being the seedbed of vocation, according to Most Rev. Gilbert Garcera of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life-Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (ECFL-CBCP) in his homily during the Mindanao Regional Assembly emphasized that Filipino families should be strengthened by their Trinitarian Worship of Love for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and should be firm in countering worldly threats.

In line with its theme “Family: Seedbed of Vocation”, the event which was held last February 9-11 at Mergrande Ocean Resort Bago Aplaya, Talomo District talked about how important families play in molding individuals.

He said that the only way to counter worldly threats is through creating an antidote to the trends of secularism which in the form of GKK and Parish activities. He also acknowledged that it is not easy and all will be part of a bigger process.

“Maskin unsaon nato ug paningkamot ang kalibutanung buhat di gayud na mabangbang ang ato lang mabuhat is to create a positive, healthy environment to counter that. In the words of St. John Paul II (we call it) counter-culture. Mao ng maghimo tag GKK panglaban sa Gangmayng Yawan-ong Katilingban mao raman na but we find ourselves, balihun nato ug storya ang GKK – katilingban gagmay aron ma-Kristuhanon. In other words, it is a process,” he explained.

Threats of secularism are so rampant in our society that he warned everyone to be more vigilant in our deeds; especially to the young ones for the devil can also use our emotions and technology as means to mislead us.

“Bantay daw ta kay kanang internet maayo daw na pero ang yawa musulod daw na diha. Kana kay naa man nay nindot magamit nato sa evangelization pero muenter pud ang yawa diha, nakahibaw pud daw na siya mag facebook daw,” he added.

He acknowledged the role played by parents in molding their child’s mindset; he encouraged them to bring their children closer to the Word of God and to the attitude of Worship.

“Nagtuo ko na ang Kristuhanun na pamilya kinahanglan magtuon maminaw sa Pulong sa Diyos kundili ang atuli sa kalibutan ang musulod, di nata kadungog,” he explained.

He stressed that it is very important to hear the Word of God or the Voice of God for us not to be deceived or tempted easily.

In his last statement, he encouraged everyone to present ourselves — our whole hearts to Christ so that we may not to be deaf due to worldly things. (Aj Cyril Chaves | HCDC Intern)